The referee or examiner appointed to conduct the hearing shall have the same powers and authority in conducting the hearing as is granted to the board. The referee or examiner shall have been admitted to the practice of law in the state and be possessed of such additional qualifications as the board may require. The referee or examiner shall submit to the board a written report setting forth his findings of fact and conclusions of law and a recommendation of the action to be taken by the board. A copy of such written report and recommendation of the referee or examiner shall, within five days of the date of filing thereof, be served upon the party or his attorney or other representative of record, by certified mail. The party may, within ten days of receipt of the copy of the written report or recommendation, file with the board written objections to the report and recommendation, which objections shall be considered by the board before approving, modifying, or disapproving the recommendation. The board may grant extensions of time to the party within which to file such objections.
No recommendation of the referee or examiner shall be approved, modified, or disapproved by the board until ten days after the service of the report and recommendation as provided in this section. The board may order additional testimony to be taken or permit the introduction of further documentary evidence. No recommendation shall be final until approved by a quorum of the entire board as indicated by an order on its record of proceedings.
R.C. §3709.20